Citation

Kirkwood RN. Evid. Based Nurs. 2018; 21(2): 52.

Affiliation

Graduate Program in Health Science, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/eb-2018-102868

PMID

29459387

Abstract

Falls are a significant health problem in the elderly population around the world, and the increase in life expectancy, costs and injury consequences could be disastrous. In Korea, more than half of physical injuries in older adults are a result of falls. Risk factors for falls include age, sex, number of comorbidities, polypharmacy and type of drugs in use, history of recurrent falls, fear of falling and physical function. Some of these factors are modifiable; identifying those …

Implications for practice and research:
Physical activity for older adults improves confidence in performing everyday activities without falling.

Polypharmacy should be considered in older adults with fear of falling.

Fear of falling is related to adverse health outcomes and should be investigated.

Language: en

Keywords

geriatric medicine; rehabilitation medicine